Cargo container with peripheral wall structure reinforced by side post assemblies

Abstract

A cargo container having a floor and a peripheral wall structure and including a plurality of side post assemblies. Each side post assembly has a body with a vertically extending length. The body of each side post assembly is secured at the outside surface of at least one of the panels. Each side post assembly further has a reinforcement plate with oppositely facing first and second surfaces. The first surface is facially abutted to the outside surface of the at least one panel. The body of the side post at least partially overlies the reinforcement plate. A logistics slot is formed in one of the side post assemblies.

1. A cargo container comprising:
 a floor; and 
 a peripheral wall structure extending upwardly from the floor and bounding a cargo storage space, 
 the peripheral wall structure comprising a plurality of side post assemblies of like construction including a first side post assembly, 
 the peripheral wall structure further comprising a plurality of panels each having an inside surface facing the cargo storage space and an oppositely facing outside surface, 
 the first side post assembly comprising a body with a vertically extending length, 
 the body of the first side post assembly secured at the outside surface of at least one of the panels, 
 the first side post assembly further comprising a reinforcement plate with oppositely facing first and second surfaces, 
 the first surface facially abutted to the outside surface of the at least one panel, 
 the body of the first side post assembly at least partially overlying the reinforcement plate, 
 wherein a logistics slot is formed in one of the side post assemblies through the at least one panel and the reinforcement plate at a location where the reinforcement plate overlies the at least one panel. 
 
   
   
     2. The cargo container according to  claim 1  wherein the body has a “U” shape as viewed in cross section taken transversely to the length of the body and comprises: a) a base with a width between laterally spaced first and second ends; b) first and second legs projecting respectively from the first and second base ends; and c) first and second flanges projecting laterally oppositely respectively from the first and second legs, the base and first and second legs cooperatively defining the “U” shape that opens towards the at least one panel. 
   
   
     3. The cargo container according to  claim 2  wherein the reinforcement plate resides within the width of the base and is not engaged by the body. 
   
   
     4. The cargo container according to  claim 2  wherein the reinforcement plate has a width greater than the width of the base and is captive between the first and second flanges and the at least one panel. 
   
   
     5. The cargo container according to  claim 2  wherein there is a single piece of metal that is formed to define the base, the first and second legs, and the first and second flanges. 
   
   
     6. The cargo container according to  claim 5  wherein the single piece is made from aluminum and the reinforcement plate is made from steel. 
   
   
     7. The cargo container according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one panel has a first thickness and the reinforcement plate has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. 
   
   
     8. The cargo container according to  claim 7  wherein the second thickness is in the range of 16-18 gauge. 
   
   
     9. The cargo container according to  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement plate is secured to the at least one panel by one of: a) welding; b) discrete securable fasteners; and c) an adhesive. 
   
   
     10. The cargo container according to  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement plate extends over only a portion of the length of the body. 
   
   
     11. The cargo container according to  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement plate extends over substantially the entire length of the body. 
   
   
     12. The cargo container according to  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of reinforcement plates, the same as the first claimed reinforcement plate, that are spaced along the length of the body. 
   
   
     13. The cargo container according to  claim 2  wherein the body is secured to the at least one panel by a plurality of discrete, securable fasteners. 
   
   
     14. The cargo container according to  claim 4  wherein a sealing component is provided between at least one of: a) the reinforcement plate and the at least one panel; and b) the body and the reinforcement plate. 
   
   
     15. The cargo container according to  claim 3  wherein the at least one panel comprises first and second panels overlapped at a joint and the first flange is secured at the joint. 
   
   
     16. The cargo container according to  claim 4  wherein the at least one panel comprises first and second panels overlapped at a joint and the reinforcement plate is captive between: a) the first panel; and b) the second panel and first flange at the joint. 
   
   
     17. The cargo container according to  claim 16  wherein a sealing component is provided between the reinforcement plate and second panel. 
   
   
     18. The cargo container according to  claim 1  wherein the cargo container further comprises a wheeled carriage beneath the floor. 
   
   
     19. The cargo container according to  claim 18  in combination with a powered towing component.